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Forge 3-3 HFX Wanderers: Halifax Provides Late-Game Drama
By The goals have not seemed to stop in the Canadian Premier League of late.
In what was their final meeting of the year, Forge and the Halifax Wanderers played to an exciting 3-3 draw at Hamilton Stadium on Saturday. It was a result that did neither team any favours in regards to their spots in the standings.
Forge’s most recent contest came the Saturday prior in a 1-1 stalemate at Vancouver FC. Coach Bobby Smyrniotis opted for two changes in his starting 11, bringing in Aghilas Sadek and Antoine Batisse into the team.
While they did not create much in the opening half, Halifax nearly tied things up in the 19th minute. Muguel Arilla’s attempted cross was deflected onto the post by Rezart Rama. The touch completely changed the direction of the ball, almost catching Forge keeper Dino Bontis out.
For Halifax, their last game ended in a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Ottawa at home. With that said, Vanni Sartini made just one change to his team, with Isaiah Johnston’s suspension for yellow card accumulation forcing him to be replaced with Adonijah Reid.
The opening goal came just three minutes into the match. From a corner, Antoine Batisse’s flick picked out Lucas Cavallini, who finished from inside the six yard box to give the home side an early lead.
There was little else that happened in the opening half, as the game saw lengthy periods of a lull. Neither side made any other dangerous chances to worry the other. That would change in the second half though.
Forge put the ball in the back of the net twice in a matter of minutes. First, Cavallini did well to beat Wanderers keeper Marco Carducci, before the striker’s effort from distance found its way in. However, both plays were called back – the former due to offside and the latter a foul in the buildup.
Arilla nearly tied things up for Halifax a few minutes later as he drove towards the Forge goal before having a crack. His attempt went just over the bar, which certainly had the home fans worried.
Sadek thought he got his side’s second of the game heading into the closing stages. Found by Maxime Bourgeois, the youngster had a hit first-time that was blocked by Jefferson Alphonse. It was a timely move from the fullback to help his side avoid conceding a second time.
Yet, on the ensuing corner, the Hammers doubled their lead. Dan Nimick rose the highest from the set piece to to power it home against his former employers.
The two-goal cushion did not last long. With nine minutes left, a free kick from Lorenzo Callegari ultimately fell to Whitecaps loanee Nelson Pierre, whose shot went off the post and in. Bontis caught the ball, but it was already over the line.
The Haligonians thought they tied things up just before normal time ended. Yohan Bai found fellow substitute Liam Mackenzie in the box, with the midfielder’s header producing a diving stop from Bontis. It was a potentially huge save from Forge’s backup keeper.
Just as stoppage time began, it looked like the Hamiltonians had wrapped up three points, as Carducci misjudged a crossfield pass, leaving Ismael Oketokoun with an open goal. The Spaniard converted the chance to make it 3-1.
There was still time left for Halifax, and they refused to go down without a fight. In the 94th minute, Liam Mackenzie went for goal from the edge of the area after an initial shot was blocked into his path. This time, the effort flew into the bottom corner, giving Bontis no chance.
The drama continued into the 103rd minute, where the Wanderers struck again. Another long ball into the box was headed down by Thomas Meilleure-Giguere. It fell to Tavio Ciccarelli, who stuck out a leg and put it past an outstretched Bontis.
Remarkably, the visitors had another glorious chance with the final kick of the game. It was Mackenzie once more, as he went for goal via a flying volley that did not miss by much.
The final whistle sounded immediately after, leaving both teams disappointed with just a point.
For Forge, they go five points behind Cavalry – who lost 3-1 earlier in the day to Inter Toronto – for top spot. The Hammers will play their game in hand on Wednesday at home to Pacific.
As for the Wanderers, they end the day in fifth spot, six points behind Vancouver FC for the final playoff berth with three matches left. Their next game is on Thanksgiving Day at home to the Cavs.
